I shook my head. “Nae, let me speak tae m’men.”
I drew my men tae the side and asked, “What dost ye think?”
Cailean said, “Tis outrageous that he is standin’ on yer land, but we daena hae time tae build our army. Kippen is close by, if he has men with him, they could be in our park by sundown.”
I nodded, “Aye.”
Zach said, “You’re a time traveler, maybe you should go to London and make the same demands there.”
I chuckled. “Walk up and demand a negotiation with the king at his castle in London? Tis an interesting idea.”
Fraoch said, “We will hae our weapons later today, that will give me more confidence. We could tell him we will meet him next week, that will give us time tae prepare.”
I said, “But he could grow an army in the meantime. He will be more intractable.” I looked at Sean, “What dost ye think, brother?”
“He is a king, wanting tae negotiate with another king, I think ye ought tae meet him. Ye hae more power — he is campin’ in a field, ye hae a castle on a hill. By the end of the day ye will hae weapons. Tomorrow ye will hae strength and we can raise an army if ye need it.”
I said, “What if this is a trap?”
“He has given ye a hostage and an oath, he sounds desperate tae my ears. I think ye hae the upper hand.”
I nodded. I looked around at the rest of the men. “Ye agree with Sean?”
Zach said, “I don’t know, I guess it doesn’t hurt to talk.”
Fraoch said, “We talk, fine. But I daena hae tae be nice.”
Cailean said, “I will kill the second cousin at the first sign of trouble.”
I smiled. “I ken ye will, Cailean, ye are in charge of the cousin.” I added, “Alright, we are decided.” I stalked over tae the messenger and said, “Tell Eddie that Mag Mòr will meet him on the morrow for a peaceful meeting about our mutual benefits.”
The messenger said, “Yes, Lord Magnus.”
“Och nae, this is disrespectful. I am Mag Mòr.” I glared. “Ye ken, I hae grown irritable, ye think this is how tis done? Ye walk right up tae my castle and tellMag Mòrtae attend a meetin’ on yer command?” I made m’self laugh, heartily.
My guards stepped closer tae the men.
I said tae Sean, “Did ye ken, Sean, that this is a thing ye can do? Ye could gather two men, and ride tae another kingdom, England, for instance, ride right up tae their castle and demand a meeting?”
Sean said, “I dinna realize twas possible, but now I ken.”
I said, “Ye could do it, with m’blessing, go command kings tae meet ye. Spain, France, ye could go anywhere and demand kings do what ye say. And who are ye?” I looked at the messenger. “A nobody bringing a message from a nobody king.”
Sean chuckled, “If I were doin’ it I would at least be thebrotherof the king.”
I said to the messenger. “Who are ye?”
“The king’s first cousin on his wife’s side.”
“A nobody for a nobody king. Dost ye remember, Fraoch, that we met King Edward?”
“I do, twas after a day of games. I was verra good at the?—”
The messenger interrupted, “What is the point of this?”
I ignored him. “Aye, Fraoch, and what was our impression of the English King?”
“Ye thought he was the blusterin’ wind from the back-side of a loch frog.”
